Bellevue after the Sun Sets: Eastside Nightlife Highlights

A twenty-minute commute from downtown Seattle, Bellevue has transformed itself from an undeveloped outskirt to a high-tech, cosmopolitan city in its own right. Alongside a growing number of sleek office buildings and towering skyscrapers, visitors find welcoming venues that range from low-key wine bars to chic lounges. Families appreciate spaces that welcome all ages (think a 3D cinema, for one), while adults wanting an escape look forward to letting loose in comedy clubs or cocktail-centric bowling venues.

Out of all the clubs and bars in a certain zone, 10Best narrows the options to those places with the most appeal. We offer a varied selection to let you explore Bellevue nightlife on your own–whether you're here with a family, co-workers or an entourage of friends. If time is really tight, though, and you don't have the leisure to look through all our offerings, we present our Bellevue Best Nightlife list. Here, we distill the best businesses down to a special selection of 10. These destinations promise a stellar experience–often accompanied by delicious food, drink and often music (like at Bake's Place)–plus a taste of the city that you just can't miss. Despite its proximity to Seattle, Bellevue has a distinct personality of its very own.

This simple, elegant bistro offers an appealing mix of American favorites with a menu showing influences from France, Italy and South America. The minimal decor is serene and upscale with white tablecloths, neutral colors and candlelight. Start with a bottle of wine from a list of more than 100, and then try an entree such as roast duck with cranberry sauce and veal sirloin in wild mushroom sauce. The dessert selection changes daily, but look for the highly recommended pecan pie. Reservations recommended. While the venue is open seven days a week, lunch is served Monday through Friday. Bis on Main features Late Night Happy Hour seven nights a week in the cozy bar and lounge.

This simple, elegant bistro offers an appealing mix of American favorites with a menu showing influences from France, Italy and South America. The minimal decor is serene and upscale with white tablecloths, neutral colors and candlelight. Start... Read More

The Bellevue Brewing Company is a locally-minded venue that serves up tasty brews to complement the tasty food. In their own words, "One of our main goals here at the Bellevue Brewing Company, in addition to brewing world-class beers, serving mouthwatering food, and providing our guests with old fashioned, personal service, is to become a positive force in our local community and beyond." Popular beers range from the Belgian WitBier and the 425 Pale Ale to the Brown and Extra Red ales. Enjoy fare from the NW Charcuterie Plate and the BBC Nachos to the Super Crabby Dip and stone-fired pizzas.

The Bellevue Brewing Company is a locally-minded venue that serves up tasty brews to complement the tasty food. In their own words, "One of our main goals here at the Bellevue Brewing Company, in addition to brewing world-class beers, serving... Read More

Based in Issaquah, with operations in Everett, Village Theatre proves a leading producer of musical theatre in the Pacific Northwest. Producing entertaining, quality productions since 1979, Village Theatre has grown into one of the region's best-attended professional theatres, with more than 19,300 subscribers. Through its Village Originals program, Village Theatre has been nationally recognized for its contribution to the development of new musicals, having launched 145-plus new works to date. According to their website, "Village Theatre also takes pride in nurturing tomorrow's audiences through its youth education programs, Pied Piper and KIDSTAGE, serving over 55,000 young people, families and schools annually."

Based in Issaquah, with operations in Everett, Village Theatre proves a leading producer of musical theatre in the Pacific Northwest. Producing entertaining, quality productions since 1979, Village Theatre has grown into one of the region's... Read More

"Good food, Great wine, Amazing view." Who can argue with a tagline like that? At Kirkland's bin on the lake, according to its team, cuisine is never an afterthought. "We believe that something extraordinary happens when food and spirits are skillfully paired, amplifying the unique flavors of each." Therefore, the venue highlights locally-sourced ingredients that capture bright, seasonal tastes of the Northwest. Also known for their exceptional wine list, they stock more than 40 wines by the glass in 1-, 3- and 6-ounce pours, in addition to signature cocktail offerings. Located at the heart of Carillon Point on the shores of Lake Washington, the view alone is worth a visit.

"Good food, Great wine, Amazing view." Who can argue with a tagline like that? At Kirkland's bin on the lake, according to its team, cuisine is never an afterthought. "We believe that something extraordinary happens when food and spirits are... Read More

On the third floor of Lincoln Square, find the Parlor Comedy Club--a spacious comedy club for live stand-up performances, plus a restaurant and bar and billiards room. Recent guests range include talents like Sherri Sheperd and Mitch Fatel. The venue has been designed with "a state-of-the-art digital sound system, intelligent stage lighting, the largest dance floor on the Eastside of Seattle with seating for 250 guests." The venue opens daily from 11 a.m. through midnight and from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. from Thursday through Saturday. (On Sunday Seahawks game mornings, the venue opens at 9:30 a.m. The Parlor Collection enforces a strict dress code (which can be found on the website).

On the third floor of Lincoln Square, find the Parlor Comedy Club--a spacious comedy club for live stand-up performances, plus a restaurant and bar and billiards room. Recent guests range include talents like Sherri Sheperd and Mitch Fatel. The... Read More

Lively, casual, welcoming. Wrought iron fixtures, poured concrete floors, and old-brick walls. Over 70 wines available by the pour or in flights. It's an excellent destination whether you're on a date, meeting with friends, or holding a business function. There are four locations in the Seattle metro area, and you can reserve your table at their web site - so no matter where you're closest to, you're close to an excellent afternoon or evening with wonderful food and amazing wines. Every day from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Bellevue, Kirkland and Woodinville locations (not downtown), the happy hour menu means $2 off drinks. Yet, more exciting news? Diners can snack on discounted, deletable dishes like gorgonzola-stuffed dates, calamari and steamed Manila clams.

Lively, casual, welcoming. Wrought iron fixtures, poured concrete floors, and old-brick walls. Over 70 wines available by the pour or in flights. It's an excellent destination whether you're on a date, meeting with friends, or holding a business... Read More

This bar and restaurant are a cozy pair, animated by warm reds and yellows, a bit of leopard print and plenty of polished wood. While some folks come to dine on steaks and sushi, beer-lovers flock here to imbibe some of the 160 beers on tap. About 70 percent of the selection is Northwestern microbrews; suds from the rest of the country and the world round out the list. Determined to try them all? A convenient punch card helps keep track of your libations. Great happy hour specials on appetizers and sushi rolls effectively stop your stomach from growling, too.

This bar and restaurant are a cozy pair, animated by warm reds and yellows, a bit of leopard print and plenty of polished wood. While some folks come to dine on steaks and sushi, beer-lovers flock here to imbibe some of the 160 beers on tap.... Read More

This chain has a strong reputation for great prices and great beers. Casual and relaxed, it's known for brews like Nisqually Nut Brown Ale and hearty Black Diamond Stout. Sit in the bar and nurse a few with colleagues, or grab a table in the bustling dining room and enjoy a meal with your choice of beverage. Brick-oven pizzas, fish and chips, and stout pot roast with cheddar mashed potatoes are popular options. A perfect place for large groups and families. Music is available Thursday through Saturday beginning at 9:30 p.m. (Bonus: Parking is no worry, since the venue validates 4 hours worth of parking in the Galleria garage right below the restaurant.)

This chain has a strong reputation for great prices and great beers. Casual and relaxed, it's known for brews like Nisqually Nut Brown Ale and hearty Black Diamond Stout. Sit in the bar and nurse a few with colleagues, or grab a table in the... Read More

This family-owned and -operated hangout, established in 1978, offers breakfast, bar food, beer and big TVs that regularly screen sporting events.The Pumphouse offers a broad range of microbrews and a varied menu that features some of the best burgers in town. Lots of area professionals show up after work to choose from among the 15 beers on tap, have a bite to eat and enjoy socializing and watching sports events on the multiple screen. This has been a regional favorite for decades, with popular beers always on tap like Mac & Jack's African Amber, Georgetown Manny's Pale Ale, Widmer American Hefeweizen and Guinness.

This family-owned and -operated hangout, established in 1978, offers breakfast, bar food, beer and big TVs that regularly screen sporting events.The Pumphouse offers a broad range of microbrews and a varied menu that features some of the best... Read More

While food is the focal point at Bake's, the venue also keeps things hopping with no-cover Friday blues, live weekend performances with top Northwest musicians and sporting events on a 24' by 14' HD screen.The site of frequent jazz performances, Bake's proves the place for candlelit ambience and great live tunes. During the summer, enjoy outdoor concerts, often featuring delicious barbecue. The 3,500-square-foot patio, the largest in downtown Bellevue, is the perfect oasis during warmer months. Inside black-and-white photos of famous jazz musicians adorn the walls. The owners say, "We believe that great things are inspired by small details--fresh local ingredients, select small-batch spirits and tasteful acoustic background music on weeknight evenings." Other draws include weekday lunches and happy hours, as well as casual weeknight dining and a full-service bar featuring a creative selection of specialty cocktails, beer and wine.

While food is the focal point at Bake's, the venue also keeps things hopping with no-cover Friday blues, live weekend performances with top Northwest musicians and sporting events on a 24' by 14' HD screen.The site of frequent jazz performances,... Read More

Meet Corinne Whiting

Corinne hails from the other Washington, where she caught the travel bug early on. Corinne studied abroad in Strasbourg, France (undergrad) and in Edinburgh, Scotland (graduate school). She's... More About Corinne